An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include functionality for monitoring and controlling the thermal properties of the e-Cig. The system and method described herein may monitor a temperature based on a resistor (i.e. hot wire) near the wick and model the thermal cycle of an e-Cig. The model can be used for controlling the temperature of the e-Cig and preventing burning. The temperature control may dictate optimal conditions for atomization and smoke generation in an e-Cig while avoiding hotspots and burning to the atomizer or cartomizer.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An electronic vaping device comprising: a reservoir configured to hold a liquid formulation for generating a vapor; a vaporizer including a heating coil configured to heat the liquid formulation to generate the vapor; a controller electrically connected to the heating coil, the controller including a processor, and the controller programmed to periodically compute temperature values of the heating coil based on measured resistances of the heating coil, periodically compute values of a heat transfer time constant based on the periodically computed temperature values, and monitor the periodically computed values of the heat transfer time constant to identify when the heat transfer time constant exceeds a threshold value.
An electronic cigarette (e-cig) includes a reservoir for liquid, a heating coil (vaporizer) to heat the liquid into vapor, and a controller with a processor. The controller measures the heating coil's resistance, calculates the coil's temperature from the resistance, and computes a "heat transfer time constant" based on the calculated temperature. The controller monitors this time constant, and if it exceeds a set threshold, it indicates a problem, likely related to liquid level. This constant helps in assessing thermal properties of the e-cig during operation.
2. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the threshold value includes a threshold deviation ratio above an average value of the heat transfer time constant.
The electronic cigarette (e-cig) as described previously monitors a "heat transfer time constant". The threshold used to detect a problem with the liquid level is not a fixed number, but instead is a ratio or percentage above the *average* value of the heat transfer time constant. Therefore, the system detects a significant *deviation* from the normal heat transfer, relative to its recent behavior, instead of relying on an absolute value.
3. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further programmed to shut down the electronic vaping device as an indication of depletion of the liquid formulation in the reservoir.
The electronic cigarette (e-cig) as described previously monitors a "heat transfer time constant" to detect when the liquid reservoir is depleted. When the heat transfer time constant exceeds a threshold, as an indication that the liquid formulation in the reservoir is depleted, the controller will automatically shut down the electronic cigarette to prevent dry burning or damage to the heating coil.
4. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further programmed to alert a user that the liquid formulation in the reservoir is becoming depleted.
The electronic cigarette (e-cig) as described previously monitors a "heat transfer time constant" to detect when the liquid reservoir is depleted. When the heat transfer time constant exceeds a threshold, as an indication that the liquid formulation in the reservoir is becoming depleted, the controller will alert the user. The alert can be a visual cue (LED), haptic feedback (vibration), or an audio signal.
5. The electronic vaping device of claim 4 , wherein the controller is further programmed to restart monitoring of the periodically computed values of the heat transfer time constant when the reservoir is replaced.
The electronic cigarette (e-cig) as described previously monitors a "heat transfer time constant" to detect liquid depletion and alerts the user when this occurs. When a user replaces the empty liquid reservoir with a full one, the controller will automatically restart the monitoring of the heat transfer time constant values, resuming the normal operation of the device with respect to liquid level detection.
6. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , further comprising: a battery configured to provide the power to the electronic vaping device.
The electronic cigarette (e-cig) also includes a battery. This battery provides the power needed for the heating coil to vaporize the liquid and for the controller to function and execute all its programmed operations (measuring resistance, computing temperature, computing heat transfer time constant, monitoring its values, etc.).
7. The electronic vaping device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further programmed to control generation of the vapor based on the identification of when heat transfer time constant exceeds the threshold value.
The electronic cigarette (e-cig) as described previously monitors a "heat transfer time constant". The controller uses the heat transfer time constant exceeding a threshold to actively *control* the vapor generation. The controller can adjust the amount of power delivered to the heating coil, thereby affecting the vapor production, based on this threshold.
8. The electronic vaping device of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further programmed to reduce generation of the vapor when the heat transfer time constant exceeds the threshold value.
An electronic vaping device includes a heating element, a power source, and a controller. The heating element vaporizes a liquid to generate vapor for inhalation. The controller monitors the heat transfer time constant, which measures how quickly heat is transferred from the heating element to the liquid. If this time constant exceeds a predefined threshold, the controller reduces vapor generation to prevent overheating or inefficient vaporization. This adjustment ensures consistent performance and safety by maintaining optimal operating conditions. The device may also include a sensor to detect liquid levels or temperature, allowing the controller to further refine vapor generation based on real-time conditions. The system dynamically adapts to variations in liquid viscosity, ambient temperature, or other factors that could affect heat transfer efficiency. By actively managing the heating process, the device improves user experience and extends component lifespan.
9. An electronic vaping device comprising: a vaporizer including a heating coil, the heating coil configured to heat a liquid formulation to generate a vapor; a reservoir configured to hold the liquid formulation for generating the vapor; and a controller electrically connected to the heating coil, the controller including a processor, and the controller programmed to periodically compute temperature values based on measured resistances of the heating coil, periodically compute values of a heat transfer time constant based on the periodically computed temperature values, and monitor the periodically computed values of the heat transfer time constant to identify when the liquid formulation in the reservoir is becoming depleted.
An electronic vaping device is designed to heat a liquid formulation to generate vapor for inhalation. The device includes a vaporizer with a heating coil that heats the liquid, a reservoir to hold the liquid, and a controller connected to the heating coil. The controller uses a processor to monitor the device's operation. The controller periodically calculates temperature values by measuring the resistance of the heating coil, as resistance changes with temperature. It also computes heat transfer time constants based on these temperature values. By tracking these time constants, the controller detects when the liquid in the reservoir is running low. This helps prevent overheating and ensures proper vapor generation. The system dynamically adjusts to changes in the liquid level, improving safety and performance. The device avoids the need for separate sensors by relying on resistance measurements of the heating coil, simplifying the design while maintaining accuracy. This approach ensures efficient vapor production and alerts users when refilling is needed.
10. The electronic vaping device of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further programmed to identify that the liquid formulation in the reservoir is becoming depleted if a change in an average of the periodically computed values of the heat transfer time constant exceeds a threshold value.
The electronic cigarette (e-cig) as described previously monitors a "heat transfer time constant" to detect liquid depletion. Specifically, the controller monitors a *change in the average* of the heat transfer time constant values. If this change exceeds a threshold, it indicates that the liquid reservoir is becoming depleted. In other words, the *trend* of the heat transfer time constant, rather than an instantaneous value, is used for liquid level detection.
11. The electronic vaping device of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further programmed to calculate an average of the periodically computed values of the heat transfer time constant over a time period; and identify when the liquid formulation in the reservoir is becoming depleted based on the calculated average.
The electronic cigarette (e-cig) as described previously monitors a "heat transfer time constant" to detect liquid depletion. The controller calculates an average of the heat transfer time constant values over a certain period. The controller identifies liquid depletion based on this *calculated average* over time instead of individual measurements. This averaging smoothes out transient fluctuations for improved accuracy.
12. The electronic vaping device of claim 10 , wherein the controller is further programmed to calculate the change in the average of the periodically computed values of the heat transfer time constant in real time.
The electronic cigarette (e-cig) as described previously monitors a "heat transfer time constant" to detect liquid depletion. The system calculates a change in the average of the heat transfer time constant values. This calculation occurs *in real-time*. Meaning that, as new temperature and resistance measurements are available, the average, and its trend, is continuously updated by the controller.
13. A method for monitoring an electronic vaping device including a reservoir configured to hold a liquid formulation for generating a vapor, and a heating coil configured to heat the liquid formulation to generate the vapor, the method comprising: measuring resistances of the heating coil of the electronic vaping device; periodically computing temperature values of the heating coil based on the measured resistances of the heating coil; periodically computing values of a heat transfer time constant based on the periodically computed temperature values; and monitoring the periodically computed values of the heat transfer time constant to identify when the liquid formulation in the reservoir is becoming depleted.
A method for monitoring an electronic cigarette (e-cig) with a liquid reservoir and a heating coil involves measuring the heating coil's resistance. It calculates the coil's temperature from the resistance. A "heat transfer time constant" is then computed from the temperature, and this time constant is monitored. By tracking this constant, the method identifies when the liquid in the reservoir is becoming depleted.
14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising: determining whether a cartridge is connected to a battery section of the electronic vaping device based on the measured resistances.
The method for monitoring an electronic cigarette (e-cig) as previously described, which includes measuring heating coil resistance and calculating the heat transfer time constant, also includes a determination of whether a cartridge (containing the liquid) is connected to the battery section of the e-cig. This determination is based on the measured resistances. This helps the system detect a new or re-attached cartridge.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the determining comprises: determining whether the cartridge is a previously unused cartridge.
The method for monitoring an electronic cigarette (e-cig), which includes determining if a cartridge is connected, goes further and determines if the cartridge is a *previously unused* cartridge. This can be achieved by comparing the initial resistance of the coil in the newly attached cartridge to the resistance of a used coil which changes with use.
16. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the measuring comprises: measuring the resistances of the heating coil at set intervals when in a stand-by mode; and measuring the resistances of the heating coil in response to application of negative pressure to the electronic vaping device when vaping.
In the method for monitoring an electronic cigarette (e-cig), which involves measuring heating coil resistance, the resistance is measured in two distinct ways: 1) At set intervals during standby mode, when the e-cig is not being actively used; and 2) In response to negative pressure (i.e., when the user is inhaling) when vaping. The resistance measurement strategy adapts to the e-cig’s operational state.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
July 11, 2013
November 14, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.